neurotransmission

Question 1

how do two neurones communicate?

Answer 1

• action potential in presynaptic neurone causes vesicles (hold neurotransmitters) to release neurotransmitters into synapse
• they diffuse across to post synaptic neurone receptor site
• receptor cells detect neurotransmitters and cause a response
• response can be inhibitory or excitatory.
• excitatory- causes neurone to fire a regeneration of initial impulse.

Question 2

what neurotransmitter is associated with the encoding of spatial memory? what drug blocks it?

Answer 2

• Acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter responsible for encoding spatial memory- high frequency of receptor sites in hippocampus
• Scopolamine blocks these sites- causes an inhibitory rather than excitatory response.